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Evolution of Membership Requirements at AAUW

AAUW is proposing to eliminate the degree requirement for membership to increase inclusivity. The change aligns with AAUW's mission of gender equity and history of evolving membership criteria. The move is supported by various committees and state boards, aiming to broaden participation and advocacy efforts. Members will have the opportunity to vote on this change, reflecting the organization's commitment to adapt and empower a diverse membership base.

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Evolution of Membership Requirements at AAUW

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  1. Why Are We Here? • In April, 2024, AAUW members will vote to eliminate AAUW’s degree requirement for membership. • AAUW’s National Board, Governance Committee and Inclusion and Equity Committee support this change. • State boards are taking stands in favor of this. View the current list on the “Resources” dropdown menu at OpenUpAAUW.org • Today we will review: 1. How AAUW has an ongoing history of increasing inclusivity with its members 2. The benefits of the change 3. Next steps

  2. What Do We Stand For Vision Values Mission Nonpartisan. Fact-based. Principled. Inclusive and Intersectional. To advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. Equity for all.

  3. AAUW’s Membership Requirements Have Changed Many Times to Become More Inclusive Up until the 1940’s, members had to hold approved degrees from a small list of accredited schools. Prospective members had to be voted upon for admission.  In 1949 the process of a branch approving members was dropped, ending the discrimination that some branches had practiced.  In 1963 any institution was added to “the list” on its request, and degrees such as education nursing, and home economics were considered qualifying.  In 1987, men were allowed to join.  In 2005, those with associate or equivalent degrees were permitted membership. 

  4. One More Change Until 2009, the bylaws said: • AAUW’s purpose starts with “the uniting of graduates” In 2009, the delegates at convention changed that to • AAUW’s purpose starts with “to advance equity for women and girls” Since then, there’s been a tension between those who want to keep the degree requirement and those who want to broaden the membership to all who share our mission. •

  5. Expanding Our Reach Over Time to Meet Women’s Needs Pre-1940s Short list of accredited schools; Vote required for admission Yes to nondiscrimination Yes to Education, Home Economics, Nursing Yes to Men 1940s 1963 1987 2005 Yes to Associate Degree 2009 Removed “uniting graduates” from key documents 2021 63% Voted Yes to Approve Open Membership

  6. The Battle For Equity Has Evolved Over Time In the Past: Now:  Men far outnumbered women in higher education Women represent the majority on many college campuses and in many professional degree programs   The vast majority of jobs available to women were limited: teacher, nurse, secretary Women are in leadership positions across industries  Yet . . . discrimination against women continues . . . .   Even fewer women in the trades, C-suite, military . . . .

  7. AAUW’s Equity Battle Today Represents All Women Today, we recognize that higher education is one of several paths now available to women. • Professional certifications, on-the-job training, career technical experience, and life experience are ALL alternative paths to obtaining education and skills for women. • AND the fights for women’s reform – reproductive rights, equal pay, maternity leave, sexual harassment, economic security – apply to ALL women, regardless of the path they choose. •

  8. The Benefits to This Change AAUW's stated mission is "to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy." This change allows AAUW to be stronger and truer to our vision of Equity for all. • Our values statement states “Inclusive and Intersectional.” This change allows AAUW to become stronger by being a more inclusive organization. • Education and advocacy always have been and will continue to be the focus to our mission. We want to include those with and without degrees in our work, and open membership could welcome even more advocates, which will make our impact stronger. •

  9. Points to Consider What makes AAUW unique is our breadth of programming, research, advocacy, fellowships & grants (endowed), and most importantly, a grassroots membership working for equity in their communities and working together to advance the mission. The degree requirement is counterproductive to recruiting diverse and younger members. There are many educational and career paths today which never existed before and continue to evolve. What unites us today is the fight for gender equity. Eliminating the degree requirement is not likely to substantially increase membership, although branches embracing the change may find new opportunities for growth. The AAUW name will not change! Just as YMCA, and NAACP have “words” that no longer “fit” and that they no longer use, AAUW will do the same. • • • •

  10. Here is How it Works • Voting opens on April 3rdand ends at noon on May 15th(ET). • Confirm you are receiving emails from AAUW National. If you need help, ask your branch leadership. • An email (along with email reminders) will be sent to you. It will include a link that allows you to vote. • Paper ballots with instructions will be sent to those without email addresses on file at AAUW National. • If you need help casting your vote on line, please let your branch leadership know. PLEASE VOTE! Questions: info@openupaauw.org

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